According to its website, 鈥淪ummer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) is an educational summer program that provides unique learning experiences for high-ability students to explore and expand their talents and abilities.鈥�

Organized by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, the camp runs in the afternoons from July 8 through July 19, Monday through Friday. Each year, more than 300 students who have completed grades K-6 attend.

As one of the longest running campus-based enrichment programs in the United States, the program estimates that more than 13,500 students from across the country have attended SLUFY.

Established in 1979, Summer Laureate came to fruition after masters student Martha Gaunt Bass envisioned the program as part of her masters thesis in the gifted education program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Bass went on to become a long-serving state director of gifted programs at the Arkansas Department of Education.

鈥淪he was always proud of the success of the program, and I know she would be glad to know that it continues,鈥� said Judge Ellen Brantley, daughter of Martha Gaunt Bass. 鈥淪he has four grandchildren, and each of them attended SLUFY.鈥�

The legacy of Bass continues on throughout the program through the Martha Gaunt Bass Summer Laureate Scholarship Fund, which offers a scholarship to a SLUFY attendee based on academic achievement and financial need. For the 2024 program, $4,500 in scholarships were awarded.

鈥淔orty-five years ago, we benefited from Martha鈥檚 vision and from the commitment of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to this wonderful opportunity for children to develop their interests and talents,鈥� said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education. 鈥淭he Mahony Center staff who organize and plan for the program beginning in September love to see it come to life each July. Our thanks to the Little Rock community who support children鈥檚 curiosity, engagement, and learning on our campus through Summer Laureate.鈥�

Each year, new classes are created based on children鈥檚 interests and popular culture. The program鈥檚 curriculum is created by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education graduate students who are placed in a field experience, by master teachers who are Summer Laureate veterans, and by teachers who are seeking a graduate degree in gifted, creative, and talented education.

With 24 new classes this summer, SLUFY has offerings that cover a number of interests鈥攆rom bugs, cooking, and superheroes to roller coaster design and every topic in between. Classes are divided based on grade level: those who have completed kindergarten, grades 1-2, grades 3-4, and grades 5-6.

For a list of classes and descriptions, visit the program’s website.

Although registration for the 2024 program is now closed, you can donate to the Martha Gaunt Bass Summer Laureate Scholarship Fund through 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Giving page. All donations support scholarships for children who are unable to afford the program.

For questions about SLUFY, contact giftedcenter@ualr.edu or call 501-916-3410.

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is hosting a variety of summer camps in writing, engineering, coding, cybersecurity, athletics, as well as the ever-popular Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) for gifted and talented students.

Check out our comprehensive list of summer camps below to find the right fit for your family!

Young Writers Camp

Dates: July 24-28, 8 a.m. to noon. Grades 3-5
Cost: $150
Contact: Greg Graham, gxgraham@ualr.edu

Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY)

Dates: July 10-21
Time: 12:30-5:30 p.m. Monday 鈥� Friday
Cost: $325

Arkansas GenCyber Strength Training Program

Dates: June 19-22, June 26-29, 8:30 a.m. 鈥� 12:30 p.m.
Grades: 7-12
Cost: Free thanks to a grant from National Security Agency

MT Stage: Expressions

Dates: June 26-30
Grades: 7-9
Cost: Free thanks to a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education

Theater Makers Workshop

Dates: June 12-16
Ages: 9-13
Cost: $275

Piano Ensemble Workshop

Dates: June 12-16, June 19-23
Ages: 9-13
Cost: $275

Engineering Scholars Program

Dates: June 11-17
For: Current 8th-11th graders interested in engineering.
Cost: Free
Applications are due April 30.

Transportation Engineering Institute

Dates: June 11-23
For: Current 8th-11th graders who are Arkansas residents and have at least a 2.5 GPA
Cost: Free
Applications are due April 30.

Windstream Girls CODE

Dates: July 16-21
For: Current 7th & 8th graders (males and females)
Cost: Free
Applications are due April 30.

Dates: July 31- Aug. 4
For: Rising 7-12th Graders
Cost: $125

Trojan Athletics Summer Camps

July 12-15, Grades: 7-12.
Camp costs $285 for commuters and $385 for those who stay on campus.

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SLUFY is celebrating 44 years of face-to-face enriched instruction of advanced children who have completed grades K-6. The program, which will run from July 10-21, is a great opportunity for high-achieving students to explore and expand upon their talents and abilities. Students will also get the chance to meet other students, forging connections and friendships that will last long beyond the summer.

The program is Monday-Friday, from 12:30-5:15 p.m. within the two-week period. The program offers classes taught by graduate students seeking master鈥檚 degrees in teaching, certified master teachers, and other experts in teaching gifted and talented students.

A limited number of Martha Gaunt Bass scholarships are available to families who otherwise could not afford this opportunity. The link to the scholarship application will be available online beginning March 1 and is due Apr. 17, by 4 p.m.

There are a limited number of student aide positions available to high school and undergraduate students. For more information about this volunteer opportunity, click here.

Visit this link for more information or to register for the program. To explore the classes available, visit this link.

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